MetaChat - Can any golden retriever owners please help me out?

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12 May 2011

Can any golden retriever owners please help me out? Kind of an odd request. But please help me make a birthday gift for my friend and I'll donate money to help re-home dogs.→[More:]

My friend's birthday is coming up, and I want to get her something unique as a present. She loves golden retrievers, but unfortunately she's unable to own one at the moment. I posted on the Golden Retriever Forum and asked if anyone had any advice on what to give someone who loves golden retrievers but can't own one. I mentioned that my ideal gift would be a photo of a golden retriever next to a poster or piece of paper that says "Happy Birthday Livia!" (Livia is my friend's name).

Well, so far I've actually had several people post photos of their dogs with "Happy Birthday Livia!" messages. Like here for example. It's been amazing. But I'd love to have a few more.

So if anyone out there is kind enough to post online a photo of a golden retriever which features the words "Happy Birthday Livia!" (it can just be scribbled on a sheet of paper, just as long as she knows it's for her and from a real person, not just downloaded off google images), then I will donate 5 dollars to charity for each picture. At this point most likely Dogs Trust, a charity which helps re-home dogs.

I know this is a bit weird,and I may well not get any replies, but lots of these photos would make for a really strange and nice birthday gift for my friend, plus you get to help out a really worthwhile charity. So thanks for any replies.

post by: Spamfactor at: 16:15 | 17 comments

I like this idea!! I only wish I could help you out. Good luck!

posted by MonkeyButter 12 May | 16:22

Great idea, but I have a Jack Russell. I can do basic photoshoppery if necessary.

posted by theora55 12 May | 17:49

@theora55 haha that's alright you don't need to photoshop your Jack Russell. But if you felt like taking a picture of your dog with a happy birthday message (preferably hand-written so she knows I haven't just altered a downloaded photo) I could easily include that too. I'm sure she will find that very confusing and funny

posted by Spamfactor 12 May | 18:02

I have a Golden Retriever! Luke is a lazy couch potato and getting up in the years but he still has a little doggie magic. It's too bad your friend can't borrow a golden for a day cause mine loves new people. Here's three photos of him posing next to your sign, feel free to use one if you care to: Lucas

posted by supercapitalist 12 May | 22:57

posted by supercapitalist 12 May | 22:58

I don't have a retriever either - although Theo is yellowish and will happily say Happy Birthday - but if you're looking for a dog oriented charity please can I recommend Animal Refuge Kansai, who are doing great work in the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear aftermath in Japan? I sent them a little money in March and they've been sending me emails ever since that will slice your heart into tiny bits. If I had more money, I would send it there. And they're easy: paypal.

posted by mygothlaundry 13 May | 00:32

I have a black lab I can photoshop some long yellow fur onto.

posted by jamaro 13 May | 00:35

@supercapitalist aw those are fantastic! Thank you so much, I know she'll love them. I totally agree that it's a shame she can't borrow a golden retriever for a day. My first plan was actually to get her a golden for a day, but I have no idea how to find one (did you know in Japan you can rent dogs?). Maybe now I can get these photos together and write underneath them "Sorry I couldn't find you a dog to play with, but these ones wish you a happy birthday."

@mygothlaundry if you're willing to take a birthday shot of Theo then I'd really appreciate it. He may not be a golden retriever but he is very cute. And that charity looks really excellent, I think I will actually donate the money to them, so thanks for that suggestion

posted by Spamfactor 13 May | 02:47

@jamaro oh and you don't have to photoshop your dog, I will officially open up this request to include all breeds

posted by Spamfactor 13 May | 02:48

I have a Golden Retriever - Australian Sheperd mix. That is what the Humane Society tells me, anyway.

Here is a picture with the sign.

posted by LoriFLA 13 May | 09:34

@LoriFLA Great, thank you! Can you tell me the dog's name?

posted by Spamfactor 13 May | 10:06

Her name is Goldie. :-)

That should say shepherd

posted by LoriFLA 13 May | 10:10

Here is a organization that helps Golden Retrievers: Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida

posted by LoriFLA 13 May | 10:15

Done! Shoot me an email spamfactor and I will email you your birthday card.

posted by mygothlaundry 13 May | 12:13

Or, just download it from here. I decided to put it up on Flickr too and maybe you will get more!
≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by mygothlaundry 13 May | 12:35

@mygothlaundry aw that card is really cute and funny, thank you so much. That charity you mentioned really does look like it's doing amazing work, so I'm happy to give to them. Perdita is very cute too (I'm wondering if her name's a Shakespeare reference?)

posted by Spamfactor 13 May | 12:46

Here ya go. http://i.imgur.com/ClxaC.jpg

posted by theora55 13 May | 13:43

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